God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises.
(USCCB, Sing to the Lord)

Our inspiration for music at St. Paul’s derives from our patron himself: “…be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” (Ephesians 5:19-20)

St. Paul Choir is comprised of a group of dedicated men and women who enjoy singing and worshiping together. It is open to adult and high school singers. The choir sings the 11:00am Mass from September through the Feast of Corpus Christi in June. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings in the church from 7:30-9:00PM. There is also a brief warm up from approximately 10:15-10:45am on Sunday mornings.  Ability to read music is helpful, but not essential.  All that is needed is a good ear, a pleasant voice, and a willing spirit.  Part recordings will be given as needed to help learn music.  Our choir takes to heart the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “Learning to sing, in choral singing, is not only an exercise of physical hearing and of the voice; it is also an education in inner hearing, the hearing of the heart, an exercise and an education in living and in peace… Singing in a choir is an education in life, an education in peace, it is ‘walking together.’” Come and join us!

St. Paul Contemporary Music Group provides music at the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass.  Practice is before/after 5:00 PM Saturday Mass.  New members are welcome. Contact Mark Flickinger at confolkgroup@gmail.com.

Cantors provide leadership for congregational song by way of inviting participation from the entire gathered assembly. The voice of a cantor should stimulate and lead congregational singing and then correspondingly recede as the congregation increasingly finds its voice. Cantors should be comfortable with solo singing, using modest gestures to encourage participation, and possess a deep understanding of the liturgy. Cantors should be able to read music at a rudimentary level and possibly lead unaccompanied when necessary. 

“Liturgical music must be like John the Baptist: always pointing to Christ, never calling attention to itself.” - Brother Roger, Taizé Community

For information on our Music Ministry, please contact Celeste Pappas, Director of Music at music@stpauldamascus.org.